Skate On, Shirley!: A Hockey Story

By Victoria Bach

An inspiring picture book about a young Indigenous girl who just wants to play hockey--co-written by a two-time world champion hockey player and former member of the Toronto Sceptres and Ottawa Charge.

What if I'm older than everyone else? What if I don't have any hockey gear? I don't even know how to skate

All of these worries run through eight-year-old Shirley's mind when she joins a local hockey program for Indigenous girls. She loves watching hockey on TV with her brother and dad, but she's not sure if she has what it takes to play. With the help of those around her, determination, and a whole lot of heart, Shirley finds her footing and makes new friends. Every time she falls, she gets back up again, proving that anyone can have fun on the ice if they just try.

Co-written by two-time hockey world champion Victoria Bach and Indigenous Girls Hockey Program co-founder Ryan Francis, and featuring artwork by illustrator Brandon Mitchell, Skate On, Shirley is a heartwarming story about the power of community. A portion of all royalties will be donated to the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund to support sports opportunities for Indigenous girls in Atlantic Canada.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 177471535X
• ISBN13: 9781774715352
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Nimbus Publishing Limited
• Length: 32 Pages
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3